Aromatherapy Products You Can Make At Home

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils obtained from plants. Aroma means fragrance or sweet smell, and therapy means a treatment designed to cure. Aromatherapy is more than just a fragrance, essential oils also have therapeutic properties. Most are antiseptic, some comfort, and some energize.

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant oils distilled from plant leaves, flowers, roots, seeds, barks or resins, or cold pressed from rinds of citrus fruits, and also aromatic grasses like lemon grass, palmarosa, and vetiver.

It takes approximately 50 pounds of plant material to equal 1 pound of oil. Essential oils contain no fatty acids. Read labels and warnings, keep lids tight and away from children. Do not consume undiluted oils (except under care of an aromatherapist or N.D.) If pregnant, do not use any essential oils.

Through the skin - Skin is the largest organ of the body, weighing in at an average of 9 lbs. Our skin is a living, dying and rejuvenating organ, constantly on the move. Skin is our outer warning system, alerting our brain about the environment we encounter. Molecules of essential oils pass through the skin's epidermis and are carried away by the capillary blood circulating in the dermis,which in turn carry them in the circulation to the organs. Essential Oils work as rubbish collectors, attaching themselves to toxins, free-radicals, cell debris, heavy metals, renegade cells, fungi, bacteria, viruses or other debris and taking them to the exits for disposal.The whole process varies in each individual and takes half an hour to 12 hours. Actual skin penetration takes only minutes.

Essential oils in the pure state are too highly concentrated to be used directly on the skin. They should be diluted in a base or carrier oil so that they can be massaged or rubbed onto the skin in the correct dosage.

Aromatherapy also works with emotions through Smell - Baths, inhalations, massage. When inhaling a flower or essential oil, scent molecules are received immediately within the brain via the olfactory nerves at the back of nasal cavity. The scent is registered within the limbic system (the most primitive part of the brain) the "seat of our emotions, memory base of our learning ability & regulator of sensory motor activities.

One of the most widely used essential oils is Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia and L.officinalis)

Infused Oils: These are made by placing approximately 1/3 cup herbs, flowers, or roots in a clean, dry jar (the least amount of moisture may spoil it) and pouring enough carrier oil to cover. Carrier oils are either vegetable, nut, or seed oils, many of which themselves have therapeutic properties.

Cover the jar with a clean piece of cotton cloth or unbleached coffee filter & secure with rubber band or canning jar lid ring. Do not cover with a lid yet, as sometimes the herbs release gasses that could blow the lid right off. Check the jar after several hours to make sure plant material has not absorbed all of the oil. You can add more oil if needed. Let this oil infuse for about 10 days to 2 weeks. I put mine in a cupboard. Strain out the plant material & discard it. The remaining oil may be kept in a glass bottle at room temperature for up to one year. This can be used as a base for your salves, oils, and can be added to soap.

Carrier oils I like to use are:

Sweet Almond Oil: from the kernel, contains glucosides, minerals, and vitamins, and is rich in protein. It is good for all skin types. Helps relieve itching, soreness, dryness and inflammation. Can be used 100%.

Apricot Kernel Oil: from the kernel, contains minerals and vitamins, good for all skin types, especially prematurely aged, sensitive, inflamed and dry. Can be used 100%.

Grapeseed Oil: contains vitamins, minerals, protein, good for all skin types, can be used 100%.

Hazelnut Oil: from the kernel, contains vitamins, minerals, protein, and has a slight astringent action; good for all skin types, can be used 100%.

Jojoba Oil: from the bean, contains protein, minerals, a waxy substance that mimics collagen, good for inflamed skins, psoriasis, eczema, acne, hair care, all skin types, highly penetrative. Use a 10% dilution.

Wonderful Herbs for Ointments, salves & balms:

Calendula - used for scrapes, cuts & abrasions

Lemon Balm - heals cracked lips

Lavender is an excellent headache reliever

Self-heal or Heal All sooths sore feet

Comfrey salve will prevent scarring & is good for healing broken bones

Oatseed makes a great salve for itchy skin.

The ancients classified lavender as a stimulant, tonic stomachic, and carminative. Lavender is the oil most associated with burns and healing of the skin. It is very effective in treating cystitis and vaginitis, for rheumatic conditions, and it is one of the only essential oils safe for use in pregnancy. Also good for varicose veins (add to cypress, lemon and soy oil and massage into the legs). It is reputed to cure headaches, helps bruises, frostbite, acne, dermatitis and swelling.

In Egypt, using herbs and oils was a way of life. Records dating back to 4500 BC talk of perfumed oils, scented barks & resins, spices, aromatic vinegar, wines & beers used in medicine, ritual, astrology & embalming. Traces of resins & spices like clove, cinnamon, & nutmeg were isolated from bandages & the intestines of the mummies were still intact after thousands of years!

Basic Salve Recipe:

Saucepan (1/2 to 2/3 full of water), large glass measuring cup, plastic stirring utensils, eye droppers, beeswax, carrier oil, other additives,(i.e. Vitamin E oil), essential oils, containers.

1 oz (by wgt) Beeswax (or just a little more)

8 oz (liquid measure) oil or oil infusion

10-20 drops (or more) essential oils

Few drops of Vitamin E oil or Grapefruit seed oil (preservative)

Heat oil on low, add grated beeswax, stir until melted, add essential oils, pour into clean, dry containers, cool, label.

Once you start making your own aromatherapy products, you will realize how inexpensive you can make them at home, and how addicting this can become.

I have included some links (which I am not affiliated with) that I frequently buy my herbs and oils from. See link capsule below.